Sunday, July 16, 2017

Do not label a child hyperactive!

“Observe child around you classify the root
cause of the problem take right professional help in right age”

After a long observation for many years, we thought
of finally writing this in detail. We would like to discuss a burning issue, that
is, in today’s world, parents, teachers and caretakers very easily label children
as hyperactive. It seems that, this word has become a casual term these days,
without people knowing the complexities of this disorder most among us are using it on daily basis. It has become a synonym
for a naughty or undisciplined child. Hyperactivity is caused due to many
unknown reasons. Yes it is possible, hyperactivity can be a part of ADHD. This is a serious
disorder which needs to be treated with utmost care and professional help. There
is lot more which can be done by us as parents, teachers or caretakers of these
unsettled children. Though the cause of ADHD remains unknown, research suggests
that the cause lies in neurology (some parts of the brain are smaller in
children suffering from ADHD) or genetics (ADHD tends to run in families, so,
there are likely to be genetic influences).

Although environmental and social factors can
influence the severity of the disorder, they do not cause the disorder.

If the child has one or two of the following
symptoms it does not mean he/she has a hyperactivity disorder:

1.Lack
of interest in regular toys, writing and reading

2.Naughty
behaviour

3.Behaving
aggressively once in a while

4.Lack
of concentration

5.Wandering

6.Impulsiveness

There may be different reasons behind these common
symptoms. To differentiate we need do understand “What is Hyperactivity and who
is Hyperactive?” Parents or teachers should have some serious check points
before labeling a child hyperactive.

Here are few examples:

1.How
long child is behaving in same manner?

2.Do
not generalise make serious notes for school, home or social interactions

3.What
kind of aggressive behaviour?

4.How
was the toddler stage?

5.How
many friends are there?

6.What
kind of learning difficulties?

7.How
much sugar intake?

Hyperactivity is a state of being unusually or abnormally
active. Hyperactivity is often difficult for people around the hyperactive
person, such as teachers, employers, and parents. Hyperactive people often
become anxious or depressed because of their condition and how people respond
to them.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

If a child is suffering with one of these symptoms, provide him appropriate guidance, but do not label him hyperactive

How parents/teachers can help?

To understand hyperactive behaviour a person needs to understand
‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder /ADHD disorder’. If a child is
suffering from two or more symptoms mentioned above, how can the parent take professional
advice?

Professional advice may be of many types. If the child is
suffering from any type of learning
difficulty, the child has to see a professional learning lab; those treat
dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or etc.

But if the child is suffering from any disciplinary issues or anxiety and
depression, they need counselling or medical guidance and serious
supervision. For example, parents, teachers or caretakers must be trained by a child psychologist or a child counsellor
to handle the child in difficult times and to distract him from bad behaviour.
In serious cases adults need to keep child under guided supervision.

If it is related to speech
and language, the child and parent should see a speech therapist. Sometimes
the child is unable to speak one particular letter, which is why it needs some
sessions from a speech therapist. Parents can save children from getting
bullied or any kind of harassment.

If a child is suffering from noticeable sleep disorders, the child and parent
should take medical advice regarding sleep analysis. After analysing the sleep
pattern of the child, doctors can find the right reason behind it.

Sometimes it may just be emotional issues due to many reasons. Parents and teachers need to
observe it for some time and make notes, discuss, talk to their, help them or
get them the right advice from the right person. This needs great teamwork
between the family, the doctor, the teacher and the caretaker.

Autism symptoms range in presentation and
severity. Children with autism frequently have an intellectual disability, but
some children with autism will have normal intelligence. Children with autism
may also have seizures, motor abnormalities, anxiety, sleep cycle disturbances,
gastrointestinal problems, immune dysfunction and sensory disturbances. Not all
the features are present in every child. Instead, a subset of features
underlies autism in each individual.

So, it is very important if parents or
teachers see any repetitive abnormal behaviour. They should work as a team,
observe, make notes and find the suitable professional help.

Parents have to understand that in the abbreviation ADHD,
“AD stands for attention deficit”. Parents,
caretakers, educators, everyone has to realise that the child may just need
personal attention from parents. This does not mean some hours or days; parents
must give them attention for a longer period. In today’s world, young children
are receiving divided attention. “A child
needs appropriate quality time in all ages”. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered the
best way, “Follow the child”. Actually, since ages, children are following
their seniors. When children see their elders multitask, they feel like
multitasking as well. There is lot of indirect learning happening in early
years of life.

Parents, Teachers and caretakers, all of them need to
remember that “Every child is not
hyperactive”. Every child is unique and they are seeking our attention; therefore
it may only be an “attention deficit”, not a disorder.